LOVE THY NEIGHBORHOOD. SHOP LOCAL.

“Live Local” is all about keeping our dollars in our communities. We live here. We work here. We spend our dollars here. That, in turn, results in a “thriving metropolis” where we reap the benefits of our “Live Local” philosophy by keeping our shopping centers fully leased, increasing our home values and drawing people into our community to eat, shop and live! I was born & raised in Lakewood and am proud to be vocal about “living local!”

DARLENE ELLISON

she found out they’re miniature “libraries” that people can put books inside for others to borrow. There’s no need for a card or a librarian; participants are simply automatically enrolled in the honor system, and they may take or replace books as they please. When bookworm Hannah discovered the idea, she wanted one for herself. So Hannah’s grandmother, Carol Wahl, and her uncle, Rick Peterson, put their heads together during a visit to Lakewood in December and made Hannah a Little Free Library out of recycled wood and other scraps, and a whole lot of caulking. “It was a lot of work,” explains Hannah’s mom, Sara Wahl. “If Hannah’s grandma hadn’t come down to do it, it’s one of those things that probably would have stayed in the idea stage.” Once it was complete, Hannah and her 5-year-old sister, Lucia, painted and decorated the sides with little wooden figures — horses on one side, the likeness of their house on the back, and a dog theme on the third. With white paint and candy-blue accents, her library also resembles a dollhouse on a post in the front yard, which many people think it is. “Almost every person I have met is like, ‘What is that? Why do you have a dollhouse in your front yard?’” Hannah says. Once they find out it’s a library, they want to know how it works, she says. Littlefreelibrary.org gives tips for how to build a structure and then adds participants to a map so others can locate libraries in their neighborhood. According to the website, Hannah’s library is the first in Lakewood. There are also two in Lake Highlands and one in Garland. Since officially opening for business on Dec. 10, Hannah says several of her friends and neighbors have eagerly participated in the exchange. “It’s really fun that my friends donate books and come over to check on it,” she says. Her library is now popping at the seams with upward of 25 books and growing by the day. “Mostly when you tell people about it, they want to donate,” Sara says. “Nobody really wants to take any out, so now we need some people who want to borrow books.” Hannah says kids stop by the library more often than adults, but she still tries to keep it stocked with books for all ages. Hannah’s advice to future little librarians: Don’t use glue that bubbles or foams when decorating the outside of the box. —Brittany Nunn

Moving on up

Many musicians strive to someday quit their day jobs, but singer-songwriter Ronnie Fauss says his is partially the inspiration behind his music. By day, Fauss’s life consists of numbers and organization as a full-time accountant; by night, he’s a family man; and, as if that isn’t enough, he’s also one of Dallas’ most up-and-coming music artists. “I love the balance that gives me between the two sides of my brain,” he says. “I need that. I do feel like I have a sort of schizophrenic personality in that way. I can be so incredibly analytical, where everything has to be in its place and all that. On the other hand, I’ve got this real creative streak that leads me to write songs.” Not only does the Lakewood resident do it all, but he does it all well, with a long list of accomplishments to prove it. “I’m really full throttle in both areas. I don’t just dip my toe in one side and then just stay in the other most times; I love both.” In February 2012 Fauss signed with the independent Americana label New West Records, LLC under its new sub-label Normal Town Records. Then starting in October, he spent several months jetting back and forth from Dallas to Nashville in preparation for the release of his long-awaited CD, “I’m the Man You Know I’m Not.” Since then, he’s been hopscotching across the country playing gigs, promoting his CD and enjoying its ever-growing popularity. Fauss’ music can best be defined as Americana with a Texas kick, but it’s his skill as a storyteller that seems to have given his latest CD its edge. Along with his job, Fauss credits his wife and three kids as the inspiration behind keeping his music authentic and relatable. His album debuted on the Americana Music Association chart in December alongside some of his musical heroes — big names such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young. In March he’ll play a coveted spot at South by Southwest in Austin, which, naturally, he’s looking forward to. Fauss signed a three-record deal with Normal Town, but he’s hanging onto the already-written second record while his first album gets its due. “That’s what this year [2013] will be about, making sure this album is heard by as many people as possible.”

—Brittany Nunn